2014 Ford Focus

March 10, 2014 5:00 AM

The 2014 is a hot hatchback – or hot hatch, as it’s sometimes called. It's really a meld of sedan, station wagon and sports car.
(All photos by Michael Taylor)

The 2014 is a hot hatchback – or hot hatch, as it’s sometimes called. It's really a meld of sedan, station wagon and sports car.
(All photos by Michael Taylor)

The 2014 is a hot hatchback – or hot hatch, as it’s sometimes... Photo-5999510.81617 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 2 of 10

The sticker price on our test car was $26,300, which included $795 for navigation and $595 for the handling package. Fuel mileage is 27/37 mpg, city/highway. The car was equipped with a two-liter, four-cylinder, 160-horsepower engine, driving through a six-speed automatic. less

The sticker price on our test car was $26,300, which included $795 for navigation and $595 for the handling package. Fuel mileage is 27/37 mpg, city/highway. The car was equipped with a two-liter, ... more

The sticker price on our test car was $26,300, which included $795... Photo-5999512.81617 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 3 of 10

Instruments are straightforward – round tachometer and speedometer, side by side – but I thought the individual numbers and letters (gear indicators, odometer) embedded in the instrument panel were on the small side. less

Instruments are straightforward – round tachometer and speedometer, side by side – but I thought the individual numbers and letters (gear indicators, odometer) embedded in the instrument panel were on the ... more

Our test car had black leather seats and initially they seemed a little hard. After a few miles, they eased up and for the next 80 miles they were fine. It’s a car that can easily do 500-mile days; the question is whether you want to do 500-mile days. less

Our test car had black leather seats and initially they seemed a little hard. After a few miles, they eased up and for the next 80 miles they were fine. It’s a car that can easily do 500-mile days; the ... more

The Focus we drove had the optional navigation system and handling package.

The Focus we drove had the optional navigation system and handling package.

The Focus we drove had the optional navigation system and handling... Photo-5999516.81617 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 7 of 10

The main competitors to the Focus are, for one, Ford’s own Fiesta, along with the Mazda3, Honda Fit and Chevrolet Cruze.

The main competitors to the Focus are, for one, Ford’s own Fiesta, along with the Mazda3, Honda Fit and Chevrolet Cruze.

The main competitors to the Focus are, for one, Ford’s own... Photo-5999517.81617 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 8 of 10

With the rear seats down, you have 44.8 cubic feet of luggage space and with the seats up, there’s 23.8 cubic feet. It’s plenty for a car this size, but it’s not going to haul the living room furniture.

With the rear seats down, you have 44.8 cubic feet of luggage space and with the seats up, there’s 23.8 cubic feet. It’s plenty for a car this size, but it’s not going to haul the living room furniture.

With the rear seats down, you have 44.8 cubic feet of luggage space... Photo-5999518.81617 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 9 of 10

The intriguing style thing about the Focus hatch (there’s also a sedan) is the way the rear portion of the roof flow gently down to a wing that shades the back window. It’s a design feature that helps deflect wind, rain and dust from the backlight, but also looks kind of racy. less

The intriguing style thing about the Focus hatch (there’s also a sedan) is the way the rear portion of the roof flow gently down to a wing that shades the back window. It’s a design feature that helps ... more

The intriguing style thing about the Focus hatch (there’s also a... Photo-5999519.81617 - San Antonio Express-News